A question about Bluetooth headphones and wireless earphones such as apple airpods, bose, beats or bone -health headphones (eg SHokz) has been in discussion for a long time – can they cause cancer?
The root of this apprehension is that these devices emit radiation radiation (RFR), which can cause cancer by damaging brain cells. But in research till now, this claim has not received strong support.
Bluetooth and cancer connection: Why did you worry?
In 2015, some studies indicated that staying in contact with electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for a long time-as mobile phones, Wi-Fi, mobile towers, or wireless baby monitor-can cause brain tumors, infertility and other health problems.
On this basis, more than 200 scientists around the world appealed to the WHO and UN to implement strict rules on EMR.
The debate again caught fire with the popularity of Airpods and other wireless headsets in 2019. There was a special focus on RFR, which works on low bandwidth for wireless communication.
Types of Radiation: How dangerous?
Radiation is of two types:
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Ionizing radiation (eg X-ray, gamma rays): This can damage the DNA structure of cells and cause cancer.
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Non-ionizing radiation (eg radio waves, microwaves, Bluetooths): It does not have enough energy to directly damage the DNA.
UV rays, which are non-ionizing, can cause high amounts of skin cancer. On this basis, some experts have been concerned about the long -term effects of RFR, especially in children, whose skull is thin and RFR absorption is high.
What do scientific conclusions so far say?
The RFR emitted by the Bluetooth device is very low – it is 10 to 400 times less than the cell phone.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the power of these waves is not so much that it can harm DNA.
A 2019 study also showed that Bluetooth’s radiation is weaker than high-energy waves like X-Ray.
Till date, there has been no significant increase in the rate of brain cancer due to mobile phones or Bluetooth devices in America, Australia or Europe.
Still why vigilance is considered necessary?
The CDC, FDA and FCC believe that Bluetooth device is not a threat of cancer, the International Cancer Research Agency (IARC) still holds RFR in the “potential cancerous” category.